Wrapping machine



P 5, 1953 B. HElLMAN 2,651,900

WRAPPING MACHINE Filed July 5, l95l 6 Sheets-Sheet l 'CHF /1 j I INVENTOR.

352M420 HE/LMA M //a 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 5, 1951 IN V EN TOR. 5 521M121: H A W a 6M X/Kafl/fX B. HEILMAN Sept. 15, 1953 WRAPPING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 5, 1951 INVENTOR. BERN/:20 llE/LMAN Sept. 15, 1953 B. HEILMAN 2,551,900

WRAPPING MACHINE Filed July 5, 1951 6 Shets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

.7 B 690 IL/EILMHA/ wag P 1953 B. HEILMAN 2,651,900

WRAPPING MACHINE Filed July 5, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 A I INVENTOR.

BEE/VA 20 HEN. Mn/v 1% BY [5 Z7 M W451? Sept. 15, 1953 B. HEILMAN WRAPPING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed July 5, 1951 IN V EN TOR. BEENA 21 HE. MA N BY Patented Sept. 15, 1953 WRAPPING MACHINE Bernard Hellman, Detroit, Mich., assignor to L. A. Young Spring & Wire Corporation, De-

troit, Mich.

Application July 5, 1951, Serial No. 235,311

15 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in wrapping machines.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a machine for Wrapping elongated articles at spaced points along the length of the articles.

Second, to provide a machine that will bind a series of rod-like articles together at longitudinally spaced points by wrapping adhesive tape around the group of articles.

Third, to provide a wrapping machine which will automatically advance and wrap an elongated work piece and retract and eject the wrapped Work.

Fourth, to provide a wrapping machine for elongated articles which is adjustable to wrap the articles at different points along their length.

Fifth, to provide tape feeding apparatus for a Wrapping machine, which apparatus automatically feeds the correct amount of tape for each wrapping operation and conditions the tape for automatic engagement with each succeeding group of work pieces.

Sixth, to provide a wrapping machine including work feeding and ejecting mechanism which is particularly adapted to handling elongated work pieces.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following description and claims.

The drawings, of which there are six sheets, illustrate a highly satisfactory commercial embodiment of my machine.

Fig. l is an end elevational view of the machine illustrating the driving connections for the several elements thereof.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine partially broken away in transverse section.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary transverse cross-sectional view through the machine, taken along the plane of the line 33 in Fig. 2 and illustrating one of the wrapping and ejecting heads in elevation.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the tape feeding head in operative relationship to the Wrapping head.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective View of one of the wrapping heads and tape feeding heads in another of their operative relationships at the beginning of the wrapping cycle.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary transverse cross-sectional view through the wrapping head and work feeding head showing the parts in still another operative relationship than is illustrated in Figs, 4 and 5 Fig. 7 is a fragmentary transverse cross-sectional view through the wrapping roll illustrating the roll and the work in an intermediate stage of the wrapping cycle.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary transverse cross-sectiona1 view of the wrapping head and work feeding structure at the end of the wrapping cycle and prior to ejection of the wrapped work.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view through the driving connection to the tape feeding head and ejecting head taken along the plane of the line 9--9 in Fig. 3. I

Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the electrical and hydraulic connections and structure which control the operation of the machine.

My machine is designed primarily to band together a plurality of flat rod-like work strips indicated at W for further handling or process ing of the strips. However, the machine is obviously adaptable for use in wrapping single work pieces if desired.

General arrangement and function As is best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the machine consists of a left end frame I and right end frame 2, joined together by a suitable base plate 3. The left frame I is of chambered rectangular section to form a housing and mount for hydraulic operating mechanism, to be described, while the right frame, which is smaller and serves mainly as a support for the other end of the machine, is of elongated character. The end frames I and 2 support upstanding columns 4 and 5, between which two longitudinally extending tubular support rails 6 and l are fixedly connected. The columns 4 and 5 also form bearing supports for a plurality of operating and control shafts, as will be described.

Longitudinally slidably and adjustably mounted on the support rails 6 and l are a pair of head structures, generally indicated at 8. The head structures include suitable body castings 9, the lower edges of which are journalled as at H] to receive and slide on the support rails 6 and l as is best illustrated in Fig. 3. A transversely extending adjusting shaft H on each of the heads is provided with pinions l2, drivingly engaging racks [3 on the under sides of the support rails. Hand wheels I4 on the rear ends of the shafts l I permit the pinions to be rotated for adjusting the heads 8 longitudinally of the support rails. Obviously, more head structures 8 could be provided on the support rails if it is desired to wrap the work at more than two longitudinally spaced points. The head structures 8 are of similar construction and operation, and a detailed description of one will sufiice to indicate the manner in which the machine operates.

Wrapping head and work ejecting structure The body casting 9 of the head structure, in addition to forming the supporting journals ID, extends upwardly above the support rails 6 and i to form a longitudinally extending journal for a control shaft l located toward the rear of the machine and over the rear support rail 6. Below the control shaft l5 and forwardly of the rear support rail, the head casting is provided with a journal for a wrapper drive shaft it. still further forwardly and downwardly the head casting is provided with a journal for a work feeding and retracting drive shaft H, located between the two support rails. The rear ends of the head castings are provided with brackets l8 forming longitudinally extending journals for the ejector drive shaft [9. As was previously indicated, the several shafts l5, [6, ii and iii are rotatably jouralled in the end columns 4- and 5.

The head structures 8 are slidable longitudinally along the shafts, and the shafts are provided with suitable splined driving connections to the elements of the head structures for driving operation in any of the adjusted positions of the head structures.

The head casting 9 is chambered with a laterally opening face closed by an end plate 29. The wrapper drive shaft I6 is drivingly connected by means of its spline to a gear (see Figs. 5 and 6) mounted in the chambered head. The gear 21 drivingly engages a lower intermediate gear 22 and an upper intermediate gear 23. The gears 22 and 23 thus drive in the same direction and are each engaged with the toothed periphery of a wrapping roll 24 rotatably mounted in the forward end of the chambered head casting 9. The roll 24 is provided with a rim 25 journalled in bearings provided therefor in the end plate 29 and the head casting 9. The roll 24 is provided with a radially extending slot 26 which extends through the periphery of the roll so that the teeth on the exterior of the roll are interrupted. The two gears 22 and 23 engage the roll at different positions about the periphery to provide uninterrupted drive to the roll as one of the gears 22 and 23 will drive the roll while the slot in the periphery of the roll is passing over the other gear.

The forward end of the head casting 9 and the end plate 20 are slotted as at 21' into the recess in which the wrapping roll is mounted. Obviously the slot 26 in the wrapping roll will come into registry with the slot 2'! in the head, once each revolution of the wrapping roll. The wrapping roll 24 is axially chambered as at 28 and the interior end wall of the chamber is provided with six equi-angularly spaced pins 29 positioned along a circle about the axis of rotation of the roll. The pins 29 rotatably support small rollers 39 around which an elastic band or belt 3| is trained. The work W is fed through the slots 26-2: when the slots are in registry at the beginning of a wrapping cycle and in so doing engage and stretch the reach of the elastic band which projects across the slot 26 as at 32. A stop bracket 33 secured to the end plate 29 projects over the open end of the wrapping roll and holds the work along the axis of rotation of the roll 24, while the roll and the tensioned belt revolve around the work.

Work feeding apparatus The head casting 9 includes a forwardly projecting beam-like rest 34 which is positioned below the slot 2! in the front of the casting. The beam 34 forms a support or guide rail for a work feeding shoe 35. The shoe 35 has an upwardly opening work receiving notch 36 therein and is drivingly connected to a transversely reciprocable rack bar 31 which slides alongside of the head casting below the axis of rotation of the wrapping roll 24. The racking bar 3! is drivingly engaged with a feed gear 38 also journalled in the head casting. The feed gear 38 has a splined driving connection to the feed control shaft i'i. Obviously clockwise rotation of the gear 33 as shown in Fig. 3 will feed the shoe 65 and work into the wrapping roll while a reverse rotation will retract the shoe or work.

The forward or outer end of the rack bar 3i carries an upstanding block 39, on which a rearwardly facing spring finger 4D is mounted. In the advanced work feeding position of the rack bar 3'! and block 39 the end of the spring 49 yieldingly engages the upper edge of the slot 21 to grip a length of adhesive wrapping tape, as will be described in greater detail presently.

The two work feeding shoes and their work receiving notches 36 function to advance the work pieces transversely of their length into the slotted rolls 24 where the work is wrapped by reason of rotation of the rolls. Obviously the two rack bars 3'1 and their work shoes are advanced and retract concurrently by reason of the driving engagement between the feed gears 38 with the single feed control shaft I1.

One of the forwardly projecting beam like rests 34 is provided with a lever 4! (see Figs. 2 and 3) pivoted at 42 and extending horizontally rearwardly underneath the work as it lies in the notches 36. The lever 4| carries a tappet 33 coacting with an electrical switch 44 to actuate the switch when the work is placed in the notches 36. The switch 44 is connected in the control circuit of the machine to coact in the regulation of the cycle of the machine as will be described presently.

Work ejector As is best illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, each of the wrapping heads 8 has associated therewith an ejector lever 45 which is freely pivotly supported on the control shaft l5 adjacent to the head. The lever 45 slidably supports a forwardly extending ejector arm 48 having an upwardly opening hook end 41 adapted to lift the wrapped work from the slots 36 and raise it along an arcuate guide rod 48 to above the level of the head structure from where the work slides by gravity along the downwardly inclined reach 49 of the guide rod 48. The ejector arm 46 is slidably mounted on the lever 45 by having its rear edges rabbeted as at 56 and slidably received under guide plates 51 secured to the lever.

The rear end of the ejector arm 46 is longitudinally slotted as at 52 and a pin 53 slidably mounted in the slot connects a link 5% between the ejector arm and a lever 55 pivoted on the main ejector lever at 56. The upper end of the lever 55 is connected by a link 51' to the crank arm 58 keyed to the ejector drive shaft I9. ejector levers 45 and ejector arms 46 of the two heads are thus actuated concurrently by oscillation of the shaft I9. A single operating crank 59 secured to the shaft [9 is connected to a push rod 68 for actuating of the ejector mechanism as will be described.

Lapped on each side of the ejector lever t and surrounding the shaft 15 are two short plates 6! The plates 6| are nonrotatively connected to the shaft It by means of keys 552 (see Fig. 9). The undersides of the arms 5: are connected by a bridging plate 53 and the upper surface of the plate 63 carries a hardened wear plate St underlying the ejector lever t5 eccentric-ally with respect to the shaft I 5. Thus while the ejector lever 2-5 may be rotated independently of the shaft 15, rotation of the shaft and the wear plate at will in some instances engage and limit the rotation of the lever 45 with respect to the shaft as will be further described.

Tape feeding mechanism Each of the head structures 8 carries a tape feeding arm 65 of downwardly bent an le shape. The arm 65 is nonrotatively connected to the control shaft l5 and is mounted on the opposite side of the head casting 9 from the ejector lever 35. The apex of the tape feed $5 is provided with a stub shaft "6% on which a coil or roll of adhesive wrapping tape 5"! is mounted. The tape on the roll has an adhesive coating on its inner surface as at Gil and is arranged to be pulled from the rear side of the roll and fed to the wrapping rolls with the adhesive coating facing forwardly. The tape is trained downwardly and forwardly from the roll 5? over a guide roll rift to a tensioning structure if; mounted on lower front end of the tape feeding arm.

The tensioning structure it includes a channel shaped guide ll and a holding roll 2. The roll it is coned to have a nonadhering line contact with the adhesive surface of the tape and is mounted on a lever '53. The lever is pivotly supported at 14. The lever E3 and roll 12 are spring urged toward the tape by a spring 55 so that the roll 72 holds the tape in the guide and prevents the running end of the tape from snapping or flying back toward the tape roll 63? as successive lengths of the tape are cut off.

The nonrotative connection between the tape feeding arm 55 and the shaft 55 causes the forward end of the arm and the tape guide struc ture it to be swung forwardly and downwardly across the front of the slot 2; in the head casting 9 when the shaft i5 is rotated forwardly.

An adjustable stop screw it on the arm 35 engages the top of the head casting 53 to limit forward rotation of the tape forwarding arm. Rearward rotation of the shaft 15 raises or tracts the arm 65 and tape guide structure it.

In initially setting up the machine, a suffcient length of tape is stripped off the roll Si and threaded through the tape guide it to depend below the roll .52 and across the open end of the slot El as at T? in Figs. 5 and 8 when the tape feeding arm 65 is lowered. This is the starting position of the machine. As the work feeding shoe 35 advances the work into the slot 2'! as previously described the adhesive surface of the depending length of tape fl engages the rear edge of the work and is moved rearwardly with the work into the slot 2? as is best illustrated in Fig. 6. The tape tends to cling to the work because of the adhesive coating on the tape is further firmly pressed against the work as the tape and work come into contact with the unsupported reach 32 of the elastic band Con tinued motion of the work into slot in the wrapping roll causes tape to be pulled off from the supply roll 6'! through the guide structure a crank $2.

block 39 to cut off the length i? of the wra er tape. After the tape has been severed and v' the wrapping roll 24', is operating the tape feedin g arm (55 is elevated by the shaft #5. During up- Ward movement of the tape feeding arm the new free end of the tape is held by the spring finger to so that a new length of tape is pulled off from the roll Eil' by upward movement of the roll. After the wrapping operation by the roll 2 is completed and the work is retracted forwardly by the shoe 35, the tape feed arm and the new depending length if of the are lowered across the front of the slot 2'? to ready the machine for another cycle.

Driving mechanism The power driven operating mechanism for rotating the several shafts is best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. The Work feeding drive shaft I7 is provided on its left end with a gear 81] positioned over the left end frame i. The gear 83 engagcs and is operated by a vertically reciprocable rack bar 8i and the rack bar is in turn driven by a vertically disposed hydraulic cylinder and piston 32 mounted in the chambered end frame. The shaft it which drives the wrapping rolls 2% is provided on its left end with a gear 83 which drivingly engages a vertically reciprocable rack bar 84. The rack bar 84 is driven by a vertical. hydraulic cylinder and piston 35 also mounted within the chambered end frame.

The gear 83 carries an end plate 86 having a radially extending stop surface 81 (see Fig. 1), that is engageable with a brake arm 88 pivotly supported on the left upright column d. The brake lever 88 is moved upwardly into locking engagement with the surface 87 by a lower pin 89 on the rack bar 8 to stop the wrapping roll at the end of its wrapping cycle with the slot 25 in the roll accurately aligned with the slot 2? in the head casting 9 as previously described. The gear 83 and plate 86 have a one-way clutch driving connection 99 to the shaft it so that the rack bar i i can be lowered or retracted without moving the wrapping rolls. As the rack bar 84 completes its downward motion a pin 9| engages and moves the brake arm $8 to released position as is illustrated and prepares this portion of the machine for another cycle of operation.

The control shaft l5 that operates the tape feeding arms, 65 is provided on its left end with The swinging end of the crank 92 is connected by a vertical link 93 with the piston of a third vertical cylinder 9 disposed within the chamber end frame 5. Reciprocation of the pisston of the cylinder 8% thus causes limiting oscillation of the shaft It.

The previously mentioned crank 59 on the ejector shaft l9 and the push rod 5d are connected :to a vertical cylinder and piston 95 mounted on the rear of the left end frame I.

conductors as this would merely confuse the drawings. The schematic drawing shown in Fig. 10 is believed to more clearly illustrate the electrical circuit and hydraulic control system for the machine.

Hydraulical electrical controls Hydraulic power for operating the several cylinders may be supplied from any suitable source such as the pump 96 driven by an electric motor 9! (see Fig. 1). The operation of the machine may be conveniently described by considering the machine and its control mechanism in an at rest starting position as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 10. A source of electrical energy is illustrated at 98.

Closing of a manually operated on and off switch 99 will supply energy to one side of the previously mentioned switch 44 and to one side each of four relay operated switches I00, IDI, I03 and I04. Placing the work in the work feed shoe 35 will close the switch 44 but no action will take place immediately due to the open condition of a manually operated starting switch I05 interposed in the conductor I06 from the switch 44. The first effect of closing the starting switch I05 is to energize the solenoid I01 of the relay I00. Concurrently energy is supplied through a conductor I08 to a switch I09. Switch I09 is closed in the starting position of the machine by reason of engagement of its actuating finger H with the rear edge of the rack bar 84 which operates the wrapper rolls. The switch I99 serves to connect the conductor III to the conductor I08. A switch II2 connected to one side of the power source 98 through the switch 99 and closed by the relay I00 is connected to the conductor III so that the switch II2, conductor III, switch I09, conductor I08 and conductor I06 function as a holding circuit to the solenoid I01 which is permanently connected to the other side of the power source and after the solenoid is initially energized and it is unnecessary to continually hold the starting switch I95 closed. The second switch N3 of the relay I00 closes to energize and open a solenoid opererated valve II4. Opening of the valve II4 admits fluid under pressure to the work feed cylinder 82 to lower the rack bar BI and feed the work into the wrapper rolls as previously described.

The rear edge of the rack bar BI along the lower portion of its length engages the operating finger H5 of a switch H6 and holds the switch in open position. As the rack bar 8| reaches its lower limit of travel a notch II! at the upper end of the rack bar permits the switch II6 to close. The first downward movement of the rack bar 8| further permits a switch I I8 to close by relieving pressure on the depending operating finger II9 of the switch. The closing of switch II6 completes a circuit from the power source through the conductor I20 to the solenoid I2I of the relay I01. The previous closing of switch I I8 completes a holding circuit through the conductor I 22 from the conductor I20 through the switch I23 closed by the relay IOI in its energized position. Energization of the relay IOI also closes a switch I24 to energize and shift a solenoid operated valve I25 associated with the tape feed cylinder 94.

In the starting position of the machine the tape feed cylinder and its connected link 93 are in lowered position so that tape feed arm 65 is also in lowered. position to position the length of tape in front of the work being fed into the wrapper rolls as previously described. After the work has been fed into the wrapper roll and after the tape holding Spring finger 49 has gripped the depending tape, the closing of switch H6 and shifting of the solenoid operated valve I25 will function to elevate link 93 and crank 92 to elevate the tape feeding arm 65 and pull off a new length of tape from the r011 61.

Concurrently with the energization of the solenoid I2I and the establishment of the holding circuit through the conductor I22, energy is supplied through a conductor I26 extending from the conductor I22 to the solenoid I21 of the relay I04. The relay I04 closes a switch I28 to energize and shift a solenoid controlled valve I29 amociated with the ejector cylinder 95. Relay I04 also closes a holding switch I30 which is connected through a conductor I3I and switch I32 back to the initially energized conductor I26 of the solenoid I2'I. Switch I32 has an actuating finger or plunger I33 which is engaged and depressed by a tappet I34 carried on the push rod 93 that operates the tape feed shaft I5. As just pointed out energization of the solenoid I2I actuates the cylinder 94 and push rod 93 to raised position so the switch I32 will be closed completing the holding circuit for the solenoid I21.

At this point it is important to note that the upward movement of the tape feeding arm 65 will position the hardened wear plate 64 and bridge plate 63 in an elevated position due to the keyed connection between the plates GI and the shaft I5 (see Fig. 9). At the same time that the wear plate 64 is elevated the ejector cylinder 95 is actuated to swing the crank arms 58 and 59 and link 5'5 forwardly in a motion tending to lower the ejector arm lever 45. The lever 45 will thus be brought into abutting engagement with the wear plate 4 that thus acts as a stop and holds the lever in a relatively elevated position. Continued movement of the cranks 58 and 59 and the linkage 51, 55 and 54 acts to retract the ejector arm 46 radially inwardly of the ejector lever 45 to the position indicated by the dotted lines at I35 in Fig. 3. Then when the ejector lever 45 and wear plate 64 are again lowered as will be explained presently the ejector arm 46 follows along with the wear plate to the full line position illustrated in Fig. 3.

When the tape feed cylinder and piston 94 and the link 93 reach the upper limit of their travel a second tappet I36 on the link 93 will engage a lever I31 pivoted on the end of the machine to swing the lever in such a manner as to close a switch I38 mounted underneath the forward end of the lever. Closing of the switch I39 establishes a circuit from the conductor I98 through a conductor I39 to the solenoid I 40 of the relay I03. It will be recalled that the conductor I08 is energized through the switch I00, conductor III and the holding switch IIZ of the relay I00. Energization of the solenoid I40 and relay I03 closes a switch I4I to energize and shift the solenoid control valve I42. This action actuates the cylinder to elevate the wrapper roll rack bar 84 and causes the wrapper roll to revolve winding the severed length of tape around the work as the work is held in the center of the wrapper roll by the work feed shoe 35 and the work feed cylinder 82.

As the rack bar 84 reaches the upper limit of its travel at the completion of the wrapping cycle a notch I43 in the rear edge of the rack bar is moved opposite the control finger IIO of 9 the switch we so that the switch I09 is opened. Opening of the switch I09 has the effect of breaking the holding circuit from the switch I I2 in the relay use through the conductors III, I08 and I05 to the solenoid IBl so that relay I is ole-snor gized. The opening of the switch Hi9 further has the effect of breaking the energizing circuit through switch I 38 and conductor I39 to the solehold Me of relay I03 so that both relays I08 and its are ole-energized and the solenoid controlled valves lid and I42 are ole-energized. De-energization of the solenoid controlled valve H i causes the work feed cylinder 82 to be reversely driven so that the rack bar 8-2 is elevated to retract the work feed rack bar 31 and the work feed shoe De-energization of the solenoid c0ntrolled valve I42 reverses the hydraulic connections to the cylinder 85 so that the rack bar EH3 is lowered, the gear 83 that meshes with the rack bar turning freely on the shaft I 6 due to its one-way clutch connection as previously described.

The first increment of upward movement of the work feed rack bar 8| brings the rear edge of the rack bar into engagement with the operating finger EH of the switch III; to open that switch. This breaks the initial energizing circuit the solenoid I2'I but the solenoid remains energized until the rack bar -8I reaches its upper limit of travel to open the switch i I8 in the holding circuit conductor I22. Thus at the time as the work has been fully retracted by the work feed cylinder 32 the relay I 0I is de-energized along with the solenoid controlled valve I to reverse the hydraulic connection to the tape feed cylins l. The tape feed cylinder 91% moves the onnecting link 93 downwardly and permits the tape feed arm 55 to move downwardly as previ usly described. Concurrently the ejector arm iever it and 45 also move to lowered position. As the link 93 returns to its lower position the tappet iS 'i engages the finger 133 of the switch 532 and opens the switch. Opening of the switch I32 breaks the holding circuit through the conductor E3! to the solenoid I.2;'l-of the relay This de-energization of the relay ll'i l opens the switch H8 and de-energizes the solenoid control valve E29. De-energization oi the valve I29 reverses the action of the ejector cylinder 95 so that the push rod 60 and crank arm 59 are pulled downwardly and the arm 58 is moved to the rear of the machine. A firstrearward movement of the arm as and link .51 causes the pivoted lever (see Fig. 3) to move the link 54 and ejector arm (26 forwardly to the dotted position illustrated at M3 in Fig. 3. Continued rearward movement of the link I51 after the pin53 has reached the forward end of the slot .52 swings the ejector arm it andejector lever'45 upwardly so that the hook ill lifts the wrapped work out of the work advancing shoe .35 and raises the work upwardly along the guide rod ;4.8 as previously described.

as the ejectorarm 46 reaches its upper limit or" travel and the work-moves'by gravity down the in lined reach 4.9 of the guide rod the machine comes to rest-With the work feed shoe in forward position to receivea second charge-of work. The tape feeding arm iii-is in lowered position and the rack bar .84 that drives the wrapper roll is in lowered position ready to start a new cycle of operation. Theelectricaland hydraulic control system rreassumes the condition illustrated in Fig. ,10=-Wlth theswitchdlfi being opened by removalcof theworkiromthe shoe 35.

A manually operable switch I 44 interposed in the energizing circuit of the ejector cylinder control valve E23 permits the ejector to be disconnected from the remainder of the system should it be desired to double wrap the work passing it through wrapping cycle a second time. The switch 99 functions as a safety switch as it will ole-energize the entire system and return the machine to starting position should this be desirable at any time.

Summary and cycle 0 operation From the foregoing description of the details of my machine it should be apparent that the machine comes to rest in a terminal and start position as shown in Fig. 1. The ejector arm 36 is raised and extended. The tape feed arm E5 is lowered with the depending length of tape it in position for the next cycle of operation. The work feeding shoe 35 is retracted forwardly to receive the unwrapped work. The first movement of the machine advances the work feeding dog and the work rearwardly with the work moving the strip of tape ll through the slot 2'! and against the rubber band 32. The work is further advanced and the band stretched until the work is located in the center of the wrapper roll 26. In moving from the periphery to the center of the wrapper roll the work will pull off an additional length of wrapping tape until the spring finger 4W locks the tape against the upper edge of the slot 2i.

The next movement of the machine following the complete advance of the work into the wrapper roll results from the simultaneous actuation of the tape feed arm and the ejector arm it; the tape feed arm 65 raises and thus strips off an additional length of wrapping tape while the lower end of the tape is gripped against the head by the spring finger ii). Simultaneously the ejector arm 35 starts downwardly and coming in contact with the upwardly moving wear plate 6% which moves with the tape feed arm, retracts radially inwardly.

The next movement of the machine resulting from the movement of the tape feed actuating mechanism to extreme upper position is the rotation of the wrapper roll to wrap the tape around the work. Note that the first movement of the wrapper roll will shear off the length of tape ll between the hardened tooth I8 and the knife edge 79 as shown in Fig. 6.

The next movement of the machine resulting from movement of the wrapper roll drive to fully advance the position is the immediate retraction of the wrapper roll drive mechanism and the retraction of the work feeding shoe iifi and the wrapped work from the wrapper roll. As the work feed shoe reaches its fully retracted position the tape feeding arm t5 lowers a new length of wrapping tape across the front of the entrance slot to the wrapper roll. Concurrently with the lowering of the tape feed arm .65 the ejector arm 46 is lowered to its lowest positionbut in a radially retracted position. ll/Iovement of the tape feeding arm 65 to extreme lowered position is followed by radial extension of the ejector arm underneath the newly wrapped work and immediate elevation of the ejector arm and work to the work ejecting position and the end of the operation cycle.

It should be particularly noted that the machine functions to wrapthe work with a free length of wrapping tape and that the supply roll of wrappingtape 67 is not rotated or translated 11 around the work in order to obtain a wrapping action.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A wrapping machine comprising, a base having longitudinally extending support rails mounted thereon, a pair of wrapping mechanisms carried by said rails and individually adjustable longitudinally therealong, four oscillatory shafts supported from said base and extending through said mechanisms parallel to said rails, said shafts having driving connections to said mechanisms in all adjusted positions of said mechanisms, each of said mechanisms including a body with a radially slotted wrapper roll mounted therein for rotation about an axis parallel to said rails and drivingly connected to one of said shafts, a work feed shoe slidable on the body transversely of said rails to advance work into the slot of said roll and drivingly connected to another of said shafts, a tape feed arm pivotally supported on said body to swing about the axis of a third of said shafts, a tape coil support and tape guiding structure mounted on the swinging end of said tape feed arm to position a length of tape in front of the slot in said roll in the lowered position of said arm, said body having a slot therein opening to said wrapper roll, an ejector lever freely pivotally mounted on said third shaft, a stop rotatable with said third shaft and having supporting engagement with said lever but permitting upward movement of said lever independently of said shaft and said stop, an ejector arm slidably mounted on said lever and projecting therebeyond radially with respect to said third shaft, linkage pivotally carried by said lever and connecting to said ejector arm to reciprocate said arm on said lever, a crank driven by the fourth of said shafts and connected to said linkage on said lever to actuate said linkage, rollers mounted on said wrapper roll and rotatable about axes parallel to and disposed around the axis thereof, an extensible band rotatably trained around said rollers, a tape shearing jaw mounted on the trailing edge of the slot in said wrapper roll, a holding jaw reciprocable with said work feeding shoe to clamp said tape to said body in the work feeding position of said shoe, and power operated means mounted on said base and connected to oscillate said shafts in predetermined timed relation whereby said shoe and the work is advanced to said wrapper roll and transversely across a depending length of said tape while said tape feeding arm is lowered, and whereby said tape feeding arm is then elevated and said roll is rotated, and whereby said ejector lever is lowered against said stop in the elevated position of said stop and said ejector arm is radially retracted, and whereby said work is retracted at the end of the wrapping cycle of said wrapper roll and whereby said arm and said lever are then fully lowered and said arm is then radially extended and elevated with said lever.

2. A wrapping machine comprising, a base having longitudinally extending support rails mounted thereon, a pair of wrapping mechanisms carried by said rails and individually adjustable longitudinally therealong, three oscillatory shafts supported from said base and extending through said mechanisms parallel to said rails, said shafts having driving connections to said mechanisms in all adjusted positions of said mechanisms, each of said mechanisms including a body with a radially slotted wrapper roll mounted therein for rotation about an axis parallel to said rails and drivingly connected to one of said shafts, a work feed shoe slidable on the body transversely of said rails to advance work into the slot of said roll and drivingly connected to another of said shafts, a tape feed arm pivotally supported on said body to swing about the axis of a third of said shafts, a tape coil support and tape guiding structure mounted on the swinging end of said tape feed arm to position a length of tape in front of the slot in said roll in the lowered position of said arm, said body having a slot therein opening to said wrapper roll, rollers mounted on said wrapper roll and rotatable about axes parallel to and disposed around the axis thereof, an extensible band rotatably trained around said rollers, a tape shearing jaw mounted on the trailing edge of the slot in said wrapper roll, a holding jaw reciprocable with said work feeding shoe to clamp said tape to said body in the work feeding position of said shoe, and power operated means mounted on said base and connected to oscillate said shafts in predetermined timed relation whereby said shoe and the work is advanced to said wrapper roll and transversely across a depending length of said tape while said tape feeding arm is lowered, and whereby said tape feeding arm is then elevated and said wrapper roll is rotated, and whereby said work is retracted, at the end of the wrapping cycle of said wrapper roll,

3. A wrapping machine comprising, a base having longitudinally extending support rails mounted thereon, a pair of wrapping mechanisms carried by said rails and individually adjustable longitudinally therealong, four oscillatory shafts supported from said base and extending through said mechanisms parallel to said rails, said shafts having driving connections to said mechanisms in all adjusted positions of said mechanisms, each of said mechanisms including a body with a radially slotted wrapper roll mounted therein for rotation about an axis parallel to said rails and drivingly connected to one of said shafts, pins projecting from the side of said roll arranged in 7 parallel annular fashion about the axis of the roll and on opposite sides of the slot in said roll, a stretchable band looped around said pins and bridging the slot in said roll, a work feed shoe slidable on said body transversely of said rails to advance work into the slot of said roll and drivingly connected to another of said shafts, a tape feed arm pivotally supported on said body to swing about the axis of a third of said shafts and drivingly connected thereto, a tape coil support and tape guiding structure mounted on the swinging end of said tape feed arm to position a length of tape in front of the slot in said roll in the lowered position of said arm, an ejector lever pivotally mounted on said body to swing upwardly into engagement with work in said shoe in the retracted position of the shoe, means drivingly connecting said lever to the fourth of said shafts, a tape shearing jaw carried on the trailing edge of the slot in said roll and adapted to sever a length of tape carried into the slot in said roll, a holding jaw reciprocable with said work feeding shoe to clamp said tape to said body in the work feeding position of said shoe, and power operated means mounted on said base and connected to oscillate said shafts in predetermined timed relation.

4. A wrapping machine comprising, a base havin longitudinally extending support rails mounted thereon, a pair of wrapping mechanisms carried by said rails and individually adjustable lon- 13 gitudinally therealong, three oscillatory shafts supported from said base and extending through said mechanisms parallel to said rails, said shafts having driving connections to said mechanisms in all adjusted positions of said mechanisms, each of said mechanisms including a body with a radially slotted wrapper roll mounted therein for rotation about an axis parallel to said rails and drivingly connected to one of said shafts, pins projecting from the side of said roll arranged in parallel annular fashion about the axis of the roll and on opposite sides of the slot in said roll, a stretchable band looped around said pins and bridging the slot in said roll, a work teed shoe slidable on said body transversely-of said rails to advance Work into the slot-f said roll and drivingly connected to another of said shafts, a tape feed arm pivotally supported on said body, means drivingly connecting said arm to a third of said shafts, a tape coil support and'tape guiding structure mounted on the swinging end of said "tape feed arm to position a length of tape in "front of the slot in said roll in the lowered position of said arm, a tape shearing jaw carried on the trailing edge of the slot in said roll and adapted to sever a length of tape carried into the slot in said roll, a holding jaw reciprocable with said Work feeding shoe to clamp said-tape to .said body in th work feeding position of said shoe, and power operated means mounted on said base and connected to oscillate said shafts in predetermined timed relation.

5. A wrapping machine comprising, abase having longitudinally extending support rails mounted thereon, a pair of wrapping mechanisms carried by said rails and individually adjustable 1ongitudinally therealong, oscillatory shafts supported from said base and extending through said mechansms, said shafts hav-ing longitudinally adjustable driving connections tosaid mechanisms in all adjusted positions of said mechanisms, each of said mechanisms including a body with a radially slotted wrapper roll mounted for rotation about an axis parallel tosaid rails and-drivingly connected to one of said 'shafts, means movably mounted on said body and adapted .to advance work into the slot of saidroll 'an'd'drivingly connected to another of said shafts, a tape :feed arm pivotally supported on said :body and connected to be oscillated by a third of said shafts, a tape coil support and tape guiding structure mounted on the swinging end of said'tape feed arm to position a length of tape in frontuof the slot in said roll in the loweredposition of said arm, a-strechable band supported in a closed loop onsaid roll and embracing the axis of rotation of said roll, an annularly arranged support on saidroll for the interior of said band and having an opening registering with the slot in said-roll whereby work advanced into said slot will engage and form a reentrant fold in said band and around .said work, said band being positioned in the plane of said depending length of tape whereby the tape is gripped between the work and said band, a shearing jaw rotatable with said roll across said length of tape to sever the same from a supply coil on said tape roll support, a holding j'aw'reciprocable with said work feeding meansto'clamp saidltape to said body in the work feeding'position of said means, and power operated means mounted on said base and conne'ctedto "oscillate said shafts in predetermined timed relation.

6. A wrapping machine comprising, a base "havin longitudinally extending support rails mounted thereon,'a pair ofwrapping mechanisms carried by said rails and individually adjustable lotigitudinally therealong, oscillatory shafts supported from said base and extending through said mechanisms, said shafts having longitudinally adjustable driving connections to said mechanisms in all adjusted positions of said mechanisms, each of said mechanisms including a body with a radially slotted wrapper roll mounted for rotation about an axis parallel to said rails and drivingly connected to one of said shafts, means movably mounted on said body and adapted to advance work into the slot of said roll and drivingly connected to another of said shafts, a tape feed arm pivotally supported on said body and connected to be oscillated by a third of said shafts, a tape coil support and tape guiding structure mounted on said tape feed arm to position a length of tape in front of said .roll in the lowered position of said arm, a stretchable band sup ported in a closed loop on said rolland embracing the axis of rotation of said roll, an annularly arranged support on said roll for the interior of said band and having an opening registering with the slot in said roll whereby work advanced into said slot will engage and form a reentrant fold in said band and around said work, said .bandibeing positioned in the plane of said depending length of tape whereby the tape "is gripped between the work and said band, a shearing jaw rotatable with said roll across said length of tape to sever the same from a supply roll on said tape coil support, a holding jaw reciprocablerto:clampsaid tape to said body, and power operated means mounted on said base and connected to oscillate said shafts in predetermined timed relation.

7. A machine for wrapping articles comprising, a support, a chambered wrapper roll rotatably mounted in said support, said -rollfhaving a radia'llyextending slot formed-therein and adapted to receive the article to be wrapped in the center of rotation of the roll, :a plurality of axially extending rollers mounted within said chambered wrapper roll'and spaced around :the axis of rotation thereof, an elastic band relativelyrotatably trained around 'said rollers :with one "reach of the band extending transversely across the slot in said wrapper roll, said support having a slot formed therein aligned with the :slot in said wraper roll in the starting position of said roll, a tape support'arm pivotally mounted on said support and having means thereon for swingably supporting a supply coil of wrapping tape, tape guide means on theswinging end of .said tape support arm positioned to guide :the running end of said wrapping :tape in the plane v.of said band and in a depending fashion transversely of said-slot' in saidsupporta reciprocable article-feed member-mounted onsaid support and translatable along the plane of. said slotsto advance articlesintosaid roll..and.across :the depending end of said tape, aitape gripping element on said article feed member engageable with said tape and said support in the article advanced position of said :member "to grip :said tape, a tape severing element rotatable withsaid roll and engageable-with said tape at the start of the wrapping cycleof said roll, 'andimeansfor driving said roll, said tape support arm and article feed member in timed .relation.

8. A machine for wrapping articles comprising, a support, a wrapper roll :rotatably mountedin said support, said roll having aradiallyextending slot formed therein:and adapted to:receive the article to be wrapped in thercenter ofrotation of the roll, "a plurality :of axially extending rollers mounted on said wrapper roll and spaced around the axis of rotation thereof, an elastic band relatively rotatably trained around said rollers with one reach of the band extending transversely across the slot in said wrapper roll, said support having a slot formed therein aligned with the slot in said wrapper roll in the starting position of said roll, a tape support arm pivotally mounted on said support and having means thereon for supporting a supply coil of wrapping tape, tape guide means on the swinging end of said tape support arm positioned to guide the running end of said wrapping tape in the plane of said band and in a depending fashion transversely of said slot in said support, a reciprocable article feed member mounted on said support and translatable along the plane of said slots to advance articles into said roll and across the depending end of said tape, a tape severing element rotatable with said roll and engageable with said tape at the start of the wrapping cycle of said roll, and means for driving said roll, said tape support arm and article feed member in timed relation.

9. A machine for wrapping articles comprising, a base, a wrapper roll rotatably mounted on said base, said roll having a radially extending slot formed therein and adapted to receive the article to be wrapped in the center of rotation of the roll, means forming an axially extending support mounted on said wrapper roll and annularly spaced around the axis of rotation thereof, said support having an opening therein registering with the slot in said roll, an elastic band trained around said support with one reach of 1;,

the band extending transversely across the opening therein, said base having a slot formed therein aligned with the slot in said wrapper roll in the starting position of said roll, a tape support mounted on said base for supporting a supply coil of wrapping tape, tape guide means on said tape support positioned to guide the running end of said wrapping tape in the plane of said band and in a depending fashion across said slot in said base, means mounted on said base and translatably along the plane of said slots to advance articles into said roll and across the depending end of said tape, a tape gripping element on said article feed member engageable with said tape and said base in the article ad- ;-1

vanced position of said member to grip said tape, a tape severing element rotatable with said roll and engageable with said tape at the start of the wrapping cycle of said roll, and means for driving said roll and article feed means in timed relation.

10. A machine for wrapping articles comprising, a base, a wrapper roll rotatably mounted on said base, said roll having a radially extending slot formed therein and adapted to receive the article to be wrapped in the center of rotation of the roll, means forming an axially extending support mounted on said wrapper roll and annular-1y spaced around the axis of rotation thereof, said support having an opening therein registering with the slot in said roll. an elastic band trained around said support with one reach of the band extending transversely across the opening therein, a tape support mounted on said base for supporting a supply coil of wrapping tape, tape guide means on said tape support positioned to guide the running end of said wrapping tape in the plane of said band and across said slot in said base, means mounted on said base and translatably along the plane of said slots to 16 advance articles into said roll and across the end of said tape, a tape severing element rotatable with said roll and engageable with said tape at the start of the wrapping cycle of said roll, and means for driving said roll and article feed means in timed relation.

11. A machine for wrapping articles comprising, a base, a wrapper roll rotatably mounted on said base, said roll having a radially extending slot formed therein and adapted to receive the article to be wrapped in the center of rotation of the roll, means forming an axially extending support mounted on said wrapper roll and annularly spaced around the axis of rotation thereof, said support having an opening therein registering with the slot in said roll, an elastic band trained around said support with one reach of the band extending transversely across the slot in said wrapper roll, means mounted on said base for supporting a supply coil of wrapping tape, tape guide means movably mounted on said base to guide the running end of said wrapping tape in the plane of said band and across said opening in said support, a reciprocable article feed member mounted on said base and translatable along the plane of said slot in the starting position thereof to advance articles into said roll and across the end of said tape, a tape gripping element on said article feed member engageable with said tape and said base in the article advancing position of said member to grip said tape, a tape severing element driven in timed relation with said roll and engageable with said tape at the start of the wrapping cycle of said roll, and means for driving said roll, said tape guide means and article feed member in timed relation.

12. A machine for wrapping articles comprising, a base, a wrapper roll rotatably mounted on said base, said roll having a radially extending slot formed therein and adapted to receive the article to be wrapped in the center of rotation of the roll, means forinin an axially extending support mounted on said wrapper roll and annularly spaced around the axis of rotation thereof, said support having an opening therein registering with the slot in said roll, an elastic band trained around said support with one reach of the band extending transversely across the slot in said wrapper roll, means mounted on said base for supporting a supply coil of wrapping tape, tape guide means movably mounted on said base to guide the running end of said wrapping tape in the plane of said band and across said opening in said support, a reciprocable article feed member mounted on said base and translatable along the plane of said slot in the starting position thereof to advance articles into said roll and across the end of said tape, a tape severing ele-- ment driven in timed relation with said roll and engageable with said tape at the start of the Wrapping cycle of said roll, and means for driving said roll, said tape guide means and article feed member in timed relation.

13. A machine for wrapping articles comprising, a base, a wrapper roll rotatably mounted on said base, said, roll having a radially extending slot formed therein and adapted to receive the article to be wrapped in the center of rotation of the roll, means forming an axially extending support mounted on said wrapper roll and annularly spaced around the axis of rotation thereof, said support having an opening therein registering with the slot in said roll, an elastic band trained around said support with one reach of the band extending across the opening in said support, tape guide means on said base positioned to guide the running end of a coil of wrapping tape in the plane of said band across said opening, and a tape severing element rotatable With said roll and engageable with said tape at the start of the wrapping cycle of said roll.

14. A machine for wrapping articles comprising, a base, a wrapper roll rotatably mounted on said base, said roll having a radially extending slot formed therein and adapted to receive the article to be wrapped in the center of rotation of the roll, means forming an axially extending support mounted on said wrapper roll and annularly spaced around the axis of rotation thereof, sai support having an opening therein registering with the slot in said roll, an elastic band trained around said guide with one reach of the band extending across the opening in said support, tape guide means on said base positioned to guide the running end of a coil of wrapping tape in the plane of said band and across said opening, and a tape severing element operated in timed relation with said roll and engageable with said tape at the start of the wrapping cycle of said roll.

15. A machine for wrapping articles comprising, a base, a wrapper roll rotatably mounted on said base, said roll having a radially extending slot formed therein and adapted to receive the article to be wrapped in the center of rotation of the roll, means forming an axially extending guide mounted on said wrapper roll and annularly spaced around the axis of rotation thereof, said support having an opening therein registering with the slot in said roll, and an elastic band trained around said support with one reach of the band extending across the opening in said support.

BERNARD HEILMAN.

l'teferences Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 353,866 Kinney et a1 Dec. 7, 1886 969,057 Hayes V Aug. 30, 1910 1,837,840 Slusher Dec. 22, 1931 2,102,692 Franz Dec. 21, 1937 2,471,304 Bunn May 24, 1949 

